Sacramento Bee
Thursday May 20, 2010

As California government's financial drought continues, unions and labor negotiators for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are talking, informally, about how big a drink to give state workers.
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/20/2763553/the-state-worker-schwarzenegger.html#mi_rss=State%20Politics

San Diego Union Tribune
Monday May 17, 2010

For years, Arnold Schwarzenegger has sought to persuade Democratic legislators to cut back the generous retirement benefits California gives to its employees. Now, with his time as governor almost gone, he is confronting his political opponents with a stark choice: You can save the poor, or the pensions.
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-government/ci_15105521?source=rss

Sacramento Business Journal
May 7, 2010

Teachers, firefighters and nurses submitted more than 1.1 million signatures Friday to qualify an initiative for the Nov. 2 ballot that would allow the state budget to be passed by a simple majority vote.
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2010/05/03/daily83.html

Cal Pensions
May 4, 2010

State and local government workers earn less than comparable workers in the private sector, a new study by two economics professors finds, even when pension and other benefits are included.
http://calpensions.com/2010/05/04/government-pay-lower-than-private-sector/

Sacramento Bee
April 29, 2010

A budget gimmick that lawmakers embraced last year may soon bite state workers in the paycheck - and give Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a stick to wield in his last budget go-round with Democrats.
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/29/v-print/2713921/the-state-worker-does-minimum.html

Capitol Weekly
April 29, 2010

As lawmakers and the governor prepare to rewrite a red ink-stained state budget, a thorny legal question remains up in the air - the forced minimum wage for thousands of state employees.
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=yt0imketmqh8wi&xid=ysygq3yrhr52xl&done=.yt0iunrcppgbvs

California Watch
Thursday April 22, 2010

2009 figures provide one of the first glimpses at how furloughs have affected the leave balances of state workers. Many sources have expressed concern that furloughs were causing people to use less vacation than ever, potentially putting the state on the hook for millions in liabilities that could offset furlough savings.
http://www.californiawatch.org/watchblog/new-data-shows-more-state-workers-exceed-vacation-caps

Associated Press
Thursday April 15, 2010

A report says California wasted at least $13 million last year through inefficiencies in the way it delivers drugs to prison inmates.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14892549

Download the Prison Pharmacy Operations Report here:
http://www.oig.ca.gov/pages/reports/bci-reports.php

Sacramento Business Journal
Thursday April 15, 2010

Corrections more than doubled its employees during the past 20 years, easily outpacing the 50 percent job growth at the UC system.
Read the full story here!

San Francisco Chronicle
Thursday, April 15, 2010

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to furlough thousands of workers at agencies that generate revenue for the state will ultimately cost California at least $700 million, a UC Berkeley economist told lawmakers Wednesday.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/14/BAQD1CUMOE.DTL&feed=rss.news

This just in: After months of threats, the state has sued the California Correctional Peace Officers' Association to recover $4 million the organization owes for "union paid leave."

Like several other unions, CCPOA has contract provisions that let employees leave their jobs to do union work. The state - in this case, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Mental Health- pays their wages and benefits, then sends the union a bill.

The prison officers' tab goes back five years.

The state sued in Sacramento Superior Court late Wednesday afternoon. CCPOA spokesman Lance Corcoran said that the union "had a deal" with Corrections officials to pay the bill but that the Schwarzenegger administration nixed it. The union disputes the total.

Congratulations to Board Member and Chaplain Chair Lon Moskowitz for taking it to the top and winning the support needed from politicians and community organizations who intervened when a California prison threatened to prohibit Rabbi Moskowitz's 40-person Passover Seder this year. The work of bringing this sacred religious practice to the incarcerated Jewish community is an important and compassionate success story.

Sacramento Bee
Wednesday April 14, 2010

The number of California state workers who took their first pension check in January jumped more than 30 percent over the same month in 2009, a strong indication that the state's budget and labor turmoil is pushing a growing number of longtime employees out the door.
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/14/2676818/california-state-worker-retirements.html#mi_rss=Top%20Stories

Contra Costa Times
Thursday April 8, 2010

Executive Vice President of Safeway, Laree Renda failed to mention the Department of Rehabilitation in her reader's commentary, People With Disabilities, Underutilized Resources.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_14838230?nclick_check=1

OC Register
Friday April 8, 2010

A proposed ballot measure that would limit public employee unions' ability to collect dues for political purposes has been abandoned.
http://totalbuzz.freedomblogging.com/2010/04/08/drive-to-limit-unions-political-efforts-is-abandoned/33297/

Sacramento Bee
Thursday April 8, 2010

Selling houses for a living usually means you're in the hope business, selling a slice of the American dream. Broker Cherie Tiscareno is on the other side, counseling state workers on the verge of losing their homes.
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/08/2663336/the-state-worker-california-furloughs.html#mi_rss=State%20Politics

Capitol Weekly
Thursday April 8, 2010

Click to view a listing of lawsuits filed against the state over the administration's furlough practices.
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=yr646306ft19tj

California Watch
Tuesday April 6, 2010

According to a study by the Stanford Institute for Economic Research, the state's unfunded pension liability has topped half a trillion dollars- six times the current state budget. But CalPERS claims the study is based on inaccurate data.
http://californiawatch.org/watchblog/states-pension-liability-tops-500-billion-stanford-study-finds

Sacramento Bee
Tuesday March 30, 2010

This Friday will be another furlough day for anyone who had the last "Furlough Friday" off without pay.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/the_state_worker/2010/03/court-issues-stay-state-worker.html

Get the flyer here!

Los Angeles Times
Thursday March 19, 2010

The Schwarzenegger administration wants to put the University of California in charge of state prison inmates' medical needs in an overhaul of the corrections healthcare system. It could meet with opposition from unions for state workers whose jobs might change or be eliminated.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prisons19-2010mar19,0,1203777.story

Capitol Weekly
Thursday March 18, 2010

The U.S. Census Bureau has released estimates of state and local government employment, and the results may be surprising to those who believe California has too many government workers.
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=ypedn5l6zf57oq#
The Full Report, ' State and Local Government Employees: Where Does California Rank?-2008 Update" can be seen here:
http://www.ccsce.com/PDF/Numbers-Dec09-Govt-Employees-Rank.pdf

The State Worker
Thursday March 16, 2010

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 7-3 on Monday to approve AB 790, a measure which could allow Schwarzenegger to withhold June's pay if lawmakers don't cut a budget deal by the June 15 legal deadline.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/the_state_worker/2010/03/state-worker-pay-bill-clears-c.html#more%23ixzz0iTWgRvUq%3E

The Sacramento Bee
Thursday March 11, 2010

State employee unions are lining up behind Jerry Brown for governor.

A quick tally of donations to the Democrat's campaign shows that four state labor groups have given about $50,000 so far combined, even though he's had no real opposition in the run-up to the June primary.
Read the full story here!

The Sacramento Bee: The State Worker
Thursday March 11, 2010

State workers last year used nearly a third less of their paid vacation time than in 2008, a tangible sign that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's furloughs will carry a deferred cost to the state for many years to come.
Read the full story here!

Los Angeles Times
Thursday March 11, 2010

Two new measures introduced by Democrats take aim at state workers boosting their final state salary to increase their lifetime pension benefits -- a practice known as 'pension spiking.
Read the full story here!

Sacramento Bee/State Worker Blog
March 08, 2010

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is "likely to veto" a furlough exemption bill that sailed through the Assembly and Senate this afternoon.
Read the full story here!

Sacramento Bee
March 08, 2010

I just hope someone up there (in Sacramento) has a brain and can see what the impact of this will be.
Read the full story here!

Sacramento Bee
March 04, 2010

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is requesting the California Supreme Court take over seven key furlough lawsuits.
Read the full story here!

Sacramento Bee
March 04, 2010

Attorney General Jerry Brown said that if elected he would consider overhauling public employee pension programs while opposing any move to privatize them.
Read the full story here!

California Watch
March 03, 2010

Furloughs have made it much harder for state employees to take paid time off.
Read the full story here!

January 3, 2010

To: Steve Shanahan, President
AFSCME Local 2620

From: Denise Nicks, Chair and Dae Peter Lee, Committee Members
Election Committee

Subject: Results of Phase Two Elections - Run Off Election

Following are the results of the tally of ballots for Phase Two Run Off Position of Coalinga State Hospital Chief Steward conducted on December 4, 2009
RUN OFF ELECTION____________________________________________

COALINGA STATE HOSPITAL CHIEF STEWARD:
Adriel Reyes 21 votes
Tom Kipnis 6 votes

27 Ballots were counted.

To: Nancy Swindell, President
AFSCME Local 2620

From: Ellen Schenk, Chair
Election Committee

Subject: Results of 2009 -2011 term Phase One Elections (Scroll Down for Phase Two Election Results)

Following are the results of the tally of ballots for Phase One Positions, conducted on September 30, 2009.

PRESIDENT: (6 ballots left this section unmarked)
Steve Shanahan 469 votes
Martin Sultan 11 votes
Nancy Swindell 299 votes

NORTHERN VP: (95 ballots left this section unmarked)
Elaina Jannell 345 votes-----------------------------------------------Run-Off
Felisha Bearheart 112 votes-----------------------------------------------Run-Off
John Marlett 233 votes

SOUTHERN VP: (33 ballots left this section unmarked)
Pat Gehr 481 votes
Mona Mosk 271 votes

SECRETARY: (23 ballots left this section unmarked)
Valtina Kinermon 467 votes
Lance Ferris 295 votes

TRESURER: (17 ballots left this section unmarked)
Cozette Moysa 392 votes
Brian Kaufman 101 votes
Nancy Quach 14 votes
Sonia Solis 261 votes

COUNCIL 57 DELEGATES (7 seats)
Henry Carreon
Norberto Garcia Jr
Cynthia McCabe
Sonia Solis
Nancy Swindell

800 Ballot envelopes return to PO Box and opened in front of Committee & Observers

785 Ballots were counted.

Prior to opening the envelopes and counting the ballots, 12 ballots were deemed invalid:
9 - had no name on the outside envelope.
1 - left State service
1 - duplicate ballot
1 - unreadable signature and address

After opening the envelope 3 ballots were deemed invalid:
1 - signature on ballot
1 - blank ballot
1 - returned campaign statement only, no ballot

* 3 observers were present: Mable Bush, Carmen Briones and Gerry Moysa

To: Steve Shanahan, President
AFSCME Local 2620

From: Ellen Schenk, Chair
Election Committee

Subject: Results of 2009 -2011 term Phase Two Elections

Following are the results of the tally of ballots for Phase Two Positions, conducted on October 28, 2009.

Occupational Chairs

CHOC (Chaplains OC)
Rabbi Lon Moskowitz 22 votes
Trey Littlejohns 15 votes

PharmOC (Pharmacists OC)
Tom Dirkovich 43 votes
Robert Lewinter 27 votes
Chuck Hassett 3 votes

RTOC (Rehabilitation Therapists OC)
Arlene Pereida 36 votes
Holly Corrente 33 votes

SPOC (State Psychologist OC)
Michael Hewitt 70 votes
Judi Herman 69 votes

SWOC (Social Workers OC)
Lance Ferris 53 votes
Norberto Garcia Jr. 45 votes

VROC (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor OC)
Robyn Tenensap 132 votes
Sonia Solis 34 votes

Regional Chief Steward

Central Coast Region
Cynthia McCabe 43 votes
Anthony Ricigliano 6 votes

Central Valley Region
Gail Penny 39 votes
Bonnie Wagner 22 votes

Los Angeles Region
Mable Bush 49 votes
Henry Carreon 44 votes

Facility Chief Steward

Coalinga State Hospital
Tom Kipnis 11 votes
Adriel Reyes 11 votes-------------------------Run Off

Ran Unopposed

Chief Facility Stewards

Atascadero State Hospital - Chuck Heyer

Lanterman Developmental Center - Harry "Skip" Matthies

Metropolitan State Hospital - Denise Nicks

Napa State Hospital - Zach Hatton

Patton State Hospital - Mona Mosk

Porterville Developmental Center - John Chapman

Sonoma Developmental Center - Elvis Neal-De-Stanton

Vacaville / Solano CDC - Ethel Toni Andrews

Regional Chief Stewards

Bay Area - Susan Neeson

Orange/Inland Empire - Leslie "Sean" Carey

Sacramento/Stockton - Terry Wager

San Diego/ Imperial - Michael Feer

Redwood Empire - Chris Kruebbe

Occupational Committee Chairpersons

Individual Program Analysts (IPCOC) - Mary Sorial

Licensing Program Analysts (LPAOC) - Chandell Tutt

Prior to opening the envelopes and counting the ballots, 16 ballots were deemed invalid:
9 - had no name on the outside envelope.
2 - unable to verify membership
4 - had no name and ballots were Xerox copied by unknown.
1 - unreadable signature and address

After opening the envelope 9 ballots were deemed invalid:
1 - signature on inner envelope
2 - returned Phase 1ballots
1 - write in nominee
1 - wrote "Neither of the Above" on ballot
2 - marked both nominees
2 - ballots didn't identify any choice

* 1 observer was present: Gerry Moysa

Northern VP Runoff Election Results

To: Steve Shanahan, President
AFSCME Local 2620

From: Denise Nicks, Chair and John Chapman, Committee Members
Election Committee

Subject: Results of Phase Two Elections - Run Off Election

Following are the results of the tally of ballots for Phase Two Run Off Position of Northern Vice President conducted on November 20, 2009

RUN OFF ELECTION____________________________________________

NORTHERN VICE PRESIDENT:

Felisha Bearheart 312 votes
Elaina Jannell 233 votes

547 Ballots were counted.
Prior to opening the envelopes and counting the ballots, 13 ballots were deemed invalid:
8 - had no name on the outside envelope.
2 - left State service
3 - unrecognizable name and address

After opening the envelope 2 ballots were deemed invalid:
2 - No ballot

* 2 observers were present: Gerry Moysa and Arturo Hernandez

May 18, 2009 San Francisco Chronicle
STEVE LAWRENCE, Associated Press Writer

"When you talk about something going off the cliff, you have to look at who is going to fall on the rocks below," she said. "Those are my members. Those are the people I represent."
Click here to read article

May 6, 2009

KNVN TV- Chico

April 16, 2009

This week, SEIU's state council has opened a campaign account to oppose Proposition 1A, the measure backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that would keep taxes on the books for three extra years in exchange for limiting state spending in future years. But the union has not ruled out the possibility that they could give money to support a $5 billion lottery measure on the same ballot also supported by Schwarzenegger...

April 16, 2009

The May 19 ballot measure would create a spending cap and rainy day reserve to slow the growth of California government. It isn't 'a cynical trick' to raise taxes, columnist George Skelton writes...

April 14, 2009

Capitol Bureau colleague Kevin Yamamura has this story about the opposition building against Prop 1A, including the 700,000-member Service Employees International Union's California State Council ...

April 09, 2009

A rift has developed in one of California's most influential labor organizations over the budget-linked propositions on the May 19 ballot that are intended to erase billions of dollars worth of red ink ...

April 7, 2009

The first campaign ads have been released by backers of the six budget-related ballot measures, sending a simple and expected message to voters: vote yes or things will get worse.
The campaign headed up by Governor Schwarzenegger and his allies are behind one of the radio ads, while the California Teachers Association has released two more radio ads.
In the ad from the governor's Budget Reform Now campaign, voters are told that passage of the six measures will "bring sanity and stability to our budget process and take away the politician's blank check."
The ad goes on to say that Propositions 1A-1F will protect against additional tax increases and spending cuts.
While the ad doesn't specifically say so, a campaign spokesperson confirms the ad is focused on the assertion that the five budget-related measures are part of the February budget agreement... which solved a $40 billion shortfall while providing billions more in tax increases for the coming years.
Of course, as the Legislative Analyst's Office has recently pointed out, the enactment of the measures won't erase new red ink caused by the worsening California economy, which the LAO now estimates at an additional $8 billion since the budget was signed into law.
Meantime, the radio ads from the CTA take a different tack. In fact, even though the teachers union has formally endorsed all six measures, these ads only focus on Proposition 1A and Proposition 1B.
And there's probably a simple reason for that. Prop 1B's passage would guarantee an additional $9 billion for public schools over the next few years. And, in a late night budget deal that seemed custom made for smart politics, Prop 1B only takes effect if the Prop 1A spending cap/reserve fund also passes. Prop 1A has been panned by a number of others in organized labor, while endorsed by C /> Both radio ads from the CTA's Yes on 1A & 1B campaign focus on the $9 billion for schools, arguing that the measure will allow the "paying back" of "gigantic cuts" from education in recent years.

March 30, 2009

AFSCME 2620 President Nancy Swindell said, "We recognize the initiatives are far from perfect, but the alternative is far worse." You can read more of what ...

March 25, 2009

March 24, 2009

March 5, 2009

March 5, 2009

March 5, 2009

February 27, 2009

January 13, 2009

December 27, 2008

November 12, 2008

November 11, 2008

October 7, 2008

September 16, 2008
A budget, a veto, an override?
What are the chances of an override?

August 2, 2007

July 24, 2007
Judges take on prison crunch

July 24, 2007
U.S. judges order review of California prison crowding

July 13, 2007
Fewer California parole violators being sent back to jail

July 8, 2007
Santa Clara County may need to free up prison space

May 25, 2007
Hearing looks at limit on inmates

June 28, 2007